Department of Social & Policy Sciences, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
SP30028 Social work dissertation |
| Credits: 18 |
| Level: Honours |
| Semester: 2 |
| Assessment: DS100 |
| Requisites: |
|
This unit is for SWASS students only. Aims: The dissertation provides an opportunity for students to study and discuss one topic of relevance to the fields covered by applied social studies. The aim of the dissertation is to equip students to research, organise and produce an extended piece of work in a relevant area. Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit the students should be able to: * define a topic or research question, systematically search the literature, develop a project plan for completing the dissertation, and show that they organise the intellectual content of a longer study. Skills: Intellectual skills: * Knowledge of the fundamental concepts of sociology relevant to the student becoming an effective practitioner; * Knowledge of the theoretical basis of sociological perspectives; * Knowledge of theories of welfare state development; * Knowledge of the main sources of data about social welfare and a critical approach to their use; * Knowledge of the fundamental concepts and theoretical basis of sociology; * Understanding of how to apply knowledge and concepts from across various social sciences disciplines; * Knowledge of the main sources of data about social issues and a critical approach to their use; * Knowledge of issues of human needs and social welfare - poverty, inequality, exclusion, diversity and differences. Transferable/Key skills: * To develop critical and analytical powers in general; * To develop research skills with particular reference to those skills relating to investigation and analysis; * To think creatively and analytically; * To communicate an argument; * To evaluate others' arguments and research; * To critically evaluate and assess research and evidence as well as a variety of other information; * To gather information, data, research and literature from a number of different sources (i.e. library, web-based, archives etc.); * To select appropriate and relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge; * To synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding; * To utilise problem solving skills; * To reflect upon new technology and innovation within social sciences and to make decisions regarding legitimacy, reliability and effectiveness. Study & Learning skills (note taking, avoiding plagiarism, using the library, gathering and using information, constructing a bibliography, referencing): * Basic Information and Computing Technology skills (word processing, email, using the web to search for information); * Inter-personal and communication skills; * Essay research, preparation and writing skills; * To construct a bibliography of varying complexity. Content: Definition of a case study. Systematic search and preliminary review of the literature. Development of a strategy or project plan for completing the dissertation. Production of a summary and chapter outline of the dissertation. |